American Society of Cinematographers Launches New Master Class Program

Award-Winning DPs to Teach Inaugural Session in October

09/10/13

LOS ANGELES, September 10, 2013 — The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced that it will be hosting a new series of Master Classes that will teach all aspects of the art and craft of cinematography.

Each Master Class will be held over a five-day period and will convene four times a year. The first will run October 21 through October 25, 2013 and will be limited to 20 students. Registration is on a first-come, first served basis. The syllabus - along with tuition and registration information - may be viewed on the ASC web site.

“The ASC Master Class offers an unprecedented opportunity to get direct, hands-on instruction from the best cinematographers in the world,” notes ASC President Richard Crudo. “Classes will be based at our historic Clubhouse in Hollywood, and will be augmented by field trips to nearby state-of-the-art facilities. No one else can give such access to the range of knowledge and experience that resides under our roof. It represents a truly comprehensive, one-of-a-kind experience.”

The ASC Master Class Program Advisor is Oscar-nominee Stephen Burum, ASC. Different cinematographers will lead the classes each quarter.

Among the participating faculty for the inaugural session will be the world’s foremost shooter of car spots and other commercials, Bill Bennett. Additional instructors will include ASC greats Dion Beebe, Russell Carpenter, Dean Cundey, Caleb Deschanel, Richard Edlund, Robert Elswit, Matthew Libatique, Dean Semler, Dante Spinotti and John Toll. Each of whom has been Oscar nominated on at least one occasion, while Beebe, Carpenter, Elswit, Edlund (three), Semler and Toll (two) are Oscar winners. In addition, Deschanel, Semler and Spinotti are also ASC Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, and Edlund has received the ASC Presidents Award. (All participants subject to availability)

At the conclusion of the week participants will receive a certificate of completion at a celebratory dinner with ASC members.